Tupou on verge of history in NRL decider
Scott Bailey |
Daniel Tupou is a mere few touches away from joining rugby league’s most exclusive club on the game’s most illustrious day.
Not that the Sydney Roosters winger will let himself think about it for more than a few seconds.
Tupou will enter Sunday night’s grand final against Newcastle with 198 tries to his name for the Sydney Roosters.
In the game’s 119-year history, just two other players have reached the magical 200 mark, with those being Ken Irvine and Alex Johnston.
If Tupou does reach 200 on Sunday, it will go without much of the fanfare of the previous two landmark moments.
So much so that the always understated Tupou even suggested earlier this week he was not aware of the impending milestone.
“Wow,” Tupou responded when informed of the record, before returning to his usually quietly-spoken self.
“But you know what? I’m just, grateful I’m playing.
“And look, if that happens, that’s an ultimate bonus. But I didn’t even know until you just said it.
“I try not to think about it too much. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn’t, then it is what it is.”
If any player in the Roosters side is capable of stepping up and scoring a double on grand-final day, it is the Tongan winger.
He starred in the 2013 grand final against Manly, jumping over David Williams’ for the Roosters’ first in his maiden season of first grade.
The flyer then scored the opener in the Roosters’ 2018 success and was big out of yardage against Canberra in 2019.
Not that Tupou is willing to recognise his status as a big game player, noting the only real differences from 13 years ago is more experience and maturity.
“It’s funny, he’s always just somehow been in the shadows,” Roosters five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans, who opposed Tupou in 2013 said.
“Don’t ask me why, maybe it’s because of his personality. He doesn’t necessarily sell papers with his hype, but we wouldn’t trade him for anyone.
“For a winger to play (306) games, score that many tries and to somewhat not be spoken about a lot, I guess that maybe just sums up Toops.”
At age 35, Tupou is still unsigned for next year.
But the flyer is expected to go around again, with Tupou having been leaning towards playing on and the Roosters always keen to keep him.
“I’ve put it on pause for now, during this final series,” Tupou said.
“So, once it’s done, then I’ll sort it out.”
LIST OF ALL-TIME LEADING TRY-SCORERS
Alex Johnston – 240
Ken Irvine – 212
Daniel Tupou – 198
Billy Slater – 190
Steve Menzies – 180
AAP